2004 Film List - Page 15

Brook K · 01-21-2005, 04:47 PM

Time Of The Wolf - Michael Haneke's beautifully shot moodpiece set in an unexplained post-Apocalyptic France is never less than compelling viewing, even if it lacks the thematic firepower of his previous works - The Piano Teacher, Code Unknown, & Funny Games. - B+

Closer - While filled with all sorts of actorly fireworks and enjoyably cynical dialogue, Closer trips up in failing to provide adequate grounding for its characters. Their personalities shift so wildly within the film, that it is impossible to know when a character is actually being sincere, thus making it difficult to invest any amount of true affinity for the movie. Worth seeing, but nothing special. B-

Finding Neverland - Touching story about the redemptive power of art and its ability to inspire and entertain. Johnny Depp once again delivers a noteworthy performance as a man who tries his hardest to remain untouched by the cynicism and disappointments of adulthood. The film has superb character moments and high production values, but falters a bit structurally in its balance between a children's world full of fun and creativity and an adult world of silent betrayals and profit and loss. It reduces much of the "adult" story to distracting filler material. But there is no denying that the film achieves the magic that is always a rare find. A-

Code 46 - Michael Winterbottom creates an intriguingly simple vision of a future society where he places a story of romance and mystery. Unfortunately, Tim Robbins isn't really the best choice for a romantic lead. His stiffness alongside Samantha Morton's exuberance never really gels into chemistry between the actors. I loved the look and shooting style of the film and the "Gattaesque" future that looks very similar to the present, but it fails the "Brook Kennon Test" for a good romantic film: Am I rooting for the leads to get together? In Code 46 the answer is "Not really". B

Troy - Far more compelling and entertaining than I thought it would be, Troy brought forth some of my long buried enthusiasm for Greek Mythology. I felt a bit of the same charge I got from LOTR in seeing favorite literary characters like Achilles, Ajax and Hector on screen. The battles and political scenes are sharply directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The romantic scenes don't fare quite as well, but it really isn't until the last 20m-30m that the film flags a bit in finally succumbing to Hollywoodisms that it had avoided until that point. Still I would call this a pleasant surprise. B

Next Up: still a few catchups, The Forgotten (wife fell asleep during this last night so I had to turn it off), Sky Captain, Rosenstrasse

Edwin Pereyra · 01-22-2005, 10:46 AM

David Ellis' Cellular - a well acted action yarn. Just don't think too much about it. A true popcorn flick.

~Edwin

Seth Paxton · 01-23-2005, 10:01 AM

Brook, I'm surprised you were so kind to Troy. Maybe its one of those low expectation rental vs going to the theater things, because I thought most of the film was sloppy and uneffective.

I also didn't see the wildly changing part of the characters in Closer. I understand people not liking the characters, but I thought one of the strengths to the film was that each character was strongly defined and consistent with their own flaws and traits. Which were weak, which were strong, which were willing to lie, which were willing to tell the truth, how they used these things as weapons in their relationships, and so on.

Just an unexpected complaint to me.

Garden St and Nap Dynamite arrived. Hope to watch them this weekend (darn football). When I send them back I'll bring in POTChrist and The Village to see what all the complaints (and some praise) was about.

Arman · 01-23-2005, 10:42 AM

Appended The Forgotten, Cellular, Hotel Rwanda, House of Flying Daggers, Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, Friday Night Lights and The Clearing in my list.

Edwin Pereyra · 01-23-2005, 01:00 PM

Antoine Fuqua's King Arthur - The latest entry in the bow and arrow, err..., sword and sandal movies continues to struggle both in writing and execution. This one has a little more character development but its story, well, what story?

~Edwin

ZacharyTait · 01-25-2005, 10:35 PM

Yea, #40!

Passion of the Christ - *** 1/2 - Wonderfully acted, shot, scored, and edited movie about Jesus and what he went through. I would give this 4 stars, but the repeated use of slow motion and Jesus falling over and over again on his walk to Calvary bugged me to the point of dropping it a 1/2 star. This is the most violent movie I've ever seen. I don't think I've ever seen this much blood onscreen as a result of one person.

Off to the Top 10 of 2004 thread. See ya there!

Edwin Pereyra · 01-26-2005, 05:47 PM

Terry George's Hotel Rwanda

Next Up: Million Dollar Baby

~Edwin

Seth Paxton · 01-29-2005, 02:21 AM

Napoleon Dynamite
8.5 of 10
Funny film along the quirky lines of Bottle Rocket or Rushmore, though it looks more like BR due to filming style. It's got some good laughs and fun characters. Not as good at a Wes Anderson film, but entertaining.

In Good Company
8.5 of 10
I wasn't surprised because the trailers made it look interesting, but the script was very solid. It didn't invent much, but it played the formula pretty softly off the initial setup. You will see situations that you have seen before or would expect, but they are done quite well. Good performances from Quaid and Grace, Scarlett gets a decent role as well.

It also wrapped things up nicely without playing it as straight-up feel good.

ZacharyTait · 01-29-2005, 12:44 PM

#41 - Million Dollar Baby - **** - Three weeks ago, I jumped the gun and called Sideways the best film of 2004. M$B easily takes over the #1 spot. I haven't been this engrossed in a film since ROTK. Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Hilary Swank are astounding. Everything about this movie is fantastic. It never takes a wrong step or hits a wrong note. I actually had tears in my eyes at the end, and that doesn't happen very often to me at the movies.

#42 - The Aviator - *** 1/2 - Martin Scorsese delivers a sweeping biopic that falters with its' obsession with HH's OCD. Also, I couldn't get to the point where I felt like I was watching Howard Hughes on the screen. I kept finding myself looking at Leo playing Howard Hughes. On the other hand, Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale are delicious as Katherine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. I can see why this is up for 11 Academy Awards, you just won't find me rooting for it in the big categories on Oscar night.